Putin is the only one that understands the protocol. One should not touch the Queen, unless she extends her hand to you. The Queen should keep her dignity at all times, and “helping” her in a manner that looks like one is helping her is not a dignified thing to do.

Lovin’ the comments above. Monarchist and all that. Still, there is also the simple fact that Putin realizes the Methuselah will live forever and doesn’t need help with any fucking stairs. Being alpha gives a man eyes to see.

When Mrs Clinton collapsed owing to heat exhaustion at the 9/11 remembrance event the other day it did cross my mind that Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, both in their nineties, routinely stand for several minutes, maybe even hours, at our annual remembrance Sunday, and have never as far as I know collapsed or needed assistance. I don’t think they even use a walking stick.